by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

BRADENTON, Fla. - Matt Barkley, Geno Smith and Tyler Wilson are tired of the (unfavorable) comparisons from experts who insist the 2013 NFL draft's top quarterback prospects don't stack up with Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III as sure-fire, rock-star franchise players.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay went so far as to say he doesn't see a first-rounder among a crop he says is the antithesis of last year's draft -- in which Luck and Griffin established themselves early as the top two picks to the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, respectively.

But beneath ready smiles burns a smoldering pride. Smith, a former West Virginia passer, and Barkley, from University of Southern California, believe they are franchise answers in their own right.

"I feel like I am the best, and (given) what I've done up until this point, I do have a case for being the No. 1 overall pick,'' Smith told USA TODAY Sports at IMG Academy. "It's up to the GMs and coaches. I have plenty of work to do still as a player and a person. I have to go up to Indianapolis (at the scouting combine) and impress them there.

"I have the capabilities to be a franchise guy. It's just about exhibiting that.''

The strong-armed Smith (6-3, 220 pounds) will throw on the combine stage Sunday inside Lucas Oil Stadium after declining to play in the Senior Bowl.

"Geno should think he should be the No. 1 pick like I think I should be No. 1,'' said Barkley, who was viewed to own that position last year when he returned to the Trojans for his senior season. "Just like (Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl MVP) Joe Flacco said, 'I'm the best quarterback in the NFL.' And then he lived up to it.

"I don't have any doubts in my mind where I want to be. My goal is to go out and prove why I should be.''

Barkley steered USC through its rocky transition from former coach Pete Carroll to Lane Kiffin, a period that included NCAA sanctions including a two-year bowl ban. Barkley hoped to finally compete for a national championship in 2012 only to struggle along with his 7-6 team.

"I competed with Andrew Luck every year when he was at Stanford,'' Barkley said of his former Pac-12 rival. "He had our number in the win column. But I've been hanging with him step by step.

"It's not like I can't make all the throws, not like I'm not a leader. ... I led USC through some of the most troubled times in the university."

"It's just the luck of the draw for us that our class comes behind those guys,'' said Barkley, who was 34-11 during his USC tenure and passed for a Pac-12 Conference record 116 touchdowns with 48 interceptions and a 64.1% completion rate. "I don't think it puts any more pressure on me - or changes who I am as a quarterback.

"I know I can be a franchise, winning quarterback.''

2012 class 'first class,' but this one 'economy'?

Though Barkley's confidence is unwavering, it's not shared by the experts who predicted greatness for last year's rookie quarterbacks. Luck, Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and third-rounder Russell Wilson drew rareified comparisons to the 1983 Hall of Famer class headlined by John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. And that was before Luck, RGIII and Wilson led their teams to the postseason.

The difference between last year's quarterbacking crew and this uncertain one?

"It's the difference between flying first class and economy,'' says former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru Gil Brandt. "Right now, this doesn't look like it's going to be a vintage class of quarterbacks. But there's some guys who have some ability.''

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider still wouldn't be surprised if three quarterbacks ultimately come off the board in the first round.

"In this year's draft, there's a really good chance that Tannehill could have been the No. 1 pick when you think about his skill set and compare him to these other guys,'' Schneider said, referencing the man who went eighth overall to the Miami Dolphins in 2012.

"There are teams that have spent more time with these (current) guys that feel differently about them at this point. ... They're interested in qualities that teams have pulled out and are emphasizing with each one - whether it's Matt Barkley with his poise, accuracy, touch and playing experience. Or whether it's Geno with his arm strength and deep-ball accuracy.''

Former NFL quarterback and IMG passing guru Chris Weinke also sees promise in his pupils.

"There's no question when you look at Geno Smith, Tyler Wilson and even Matt Barkley, though he's coming off an injury, they can throw it as good as the guys last year,'' said Weinke. "This year's quarterback crop, they're not getting as much love as the guys last year. We all know that. ... But when it comes down to it, this group of quarterbacks can be just as good as the group that came out last year. That remains to be seen. But when you spend every day for seven weeks with somebody and you see them making positive changes in their mechanics, there's no reason why I don't see these guys being successful.

"I'm probably more excited about this year because the expectation level is a little bit lower. I think these guys are going to prove a really solid class of quarterbacks.''

Smith, 26-13 as the starter at West Virginia, grew up in Miramar, Fla., with an early talent for painting. His portfolio was lost to a hurricane several years ago. Since then, the football field has become his canvas.

"Quarterback is my art, my craft now,'' Smith said. "When you look at the franchise quarterbacks, those guys who carry themselves a certain type of way, I wanted to be that type of guy. ... I felt it was necessary for me to carry myself that way."

Smith was an early Heisman Trophy favorite but flamed out as the Mountaineers lost six of their final eight games. Still, he threw for 42 touchdowns with just six interceptions, completing 71.4% of his passes.

"Geno is on a mission to prove people wrong,'' says Jake Spavital, West Virginia's former quarterbacks coach who's now at Texas A&M. "He's the total package.

"I'd be shocked if he didn't end up going No. 1 overall (to the Kansas City Chiefs).''